Overview

Our MPhil in Occupational Therapy offers you a unique opportunity to undertake research in a variety of health and organisational contexts. You may be interested in sensory integration outcomes for adults following brain injury, management of people experiencing dementia in their local communities or occupational justice issues in exploited or minority populations; but whatever your specific research interests we are likely to have a supervisor with the experience to support you in this process.

You will be offered opportunities to access our Masters level research methods modules to provide a sound foundation of specific research knowledge and skills. In addition, you will have access to the University’s Proficio research training scheme which allows you to choose training programmes that meet the requirements of your own research topics and methodologies.

This MPhil is offered on a 2 year full-time or 4 year part-time basis. Some people choose to do an MPhil before applying to undertake a PhD in order to develop their research skills and knowledge and to demonstrate their self-discipline and time management skills to potential supervisors or funders.

Why we're great.

Our School of Health and Social Care offers a multidisciplinary environment with an excellent reputation for research and teaching.

Our staff are multi-professional, and include clinically-qualified lecturers, sociologists and social policy and management specialists.

Our staff work with local NHS Trusts and other local agencies, which enhances our grasp of the contemporary links between academic research, the major issues of the day and practice.

Our expert staff

Within the School of Health and Social Care, we have a number of registered Occupational Therapists who are also research supervisors. This provides you with the clinical awareness and guidance alongside the scientific rigour necessary to undertake such a MPhil. Where possible we offer two supervisors to ensure all your supervision requirements are met. Your supervisor(s) will guide you in developing your research plans and support you in your self-directed learning. You will also have two supervisory panels a year (one for part-time students) which will allow your progress to be monitored in a more formal manner.

Specialist facilities

The School has access to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) building, which is brand new for the October 2018 intake. We also have an open access reception area where staff and students meet for social events.

Your future

Our Graduates have gone on to take up posts in both clinical and management positions in Trusts, hospitals and care organisations as well as in local and county councils.

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

You will need a Masters degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline such as a health science or a social science. Alternatively you will need to evidence advanced research skills developed through an alternative route. A well developed research proposal is also essential.

You will normally be required to attend an interview/Skype interview for acceptance, and acceptance is subject to research expertise in the department.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please select
your country page
where you'll find this information.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, then we will require you to have IELTS 6.5 overall, with 5.5 in all components.

Structure

Example structure

A research degree doesn't have a taught structure, giving you the chance to investigate your chosen topic in real depth and reach a profound understanding. In communicating that understanding, through a dissertation or other means, you have a rare opportunity to generate knowledge. A research degree allows you to develop new high-level skills, enhance your professional development and build new networks. It can open doors to many careers.

Fees and funding

Home/EU fee

£5,103

International fee

£15,460

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

What's next

Open Days

We hold open days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation

find out answers to your questions about our courses, graduate employability, student support and more

talk to our Fees and Funding team about scholarship opportunities

meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

Applying

We encourage you to make a preliminary enquiry directly to a potential supervisor or the Graduate Administrator within your chosen Department or School. We encourage the consideration of a brief research proposal prior to the submission of a full application.

We aim to respond to applications within four weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply’ information.

Visit Colchester Campus

Home to 15,000 students from more than 130 countries, our Colchester Campus is the largest of our three sites, making us one of the most internationally diverse campuses on the planet - we like to think of ourselves as the world in one place.

Virtual tours

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

Exhibitions

Our staff travel the world to speak to people about the courses on offer at Essex. Take a look at our list of exhibition dates to see if we’ll be near you in the future.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and
Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.